Los Angeles Lakers Summer League guard Jon Elmore has been included in a massive six-team trade at the G League level that has largely flown under the radar.
The complex transaction involved the Greensboro Swarm, Stockton Kings, Salt Lake City Stars, Austin Spurs, Oklahoma City Blue, and Iowa Wolves, with a mixture of returning player rights and future draft picks changing hands.
For Elmore, the deal means his G League rights have moved from the Sacramento Kings‘ affiliate in Stockton to the San Antonio Spurs‘ affiliate in Austin.
While the move does not guarantee where the 30-year-old will play next season, it adds an interesting wrinkle after his productive summer with the Lakers.
Lakers Summer League Guard Quietly Impressed in Las Vegas
Elmore initially attracted plenty of attention during the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League, partly due to his distinctive appearance.
Beyond that, however, the veteran guard quietly put together a productive stretch for Los Angeles.
Across five appearances, Elmore averaged 6.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.6 steals while providing valuable minutes off the bench.
He shot 44.4% from the field and an impressive 46.7% from three-point range on three attempts per game.
Against the Golden State Warriors at the California Classic, Elmore produced an unusual stat line of zero points, seven assists, and two steals. His offensive production picked up as the summer progressed.
Elmore closed out his campaign by scoring 11 points against the Chicago Bulls and another 10 against Golden State, combining for eight assists across the two games.
An NBA roster spot was never a realistic expectation for the veteran guard, but a return to the Lakers’ G League system could have provided an intriguing opportunity.
The newly rebranded Coachella Valley Lakers appear set for significant backcourt turnover, with Kobe Bufkin, Nick Smith Jr., and R.J. Davis all potentially moving on. That could leave meaningful minutes available heading into the new season.
Spurs Complicate Potential Jon Elmore Return to LA
Before the trade, the Lakers would have needed to acquire Elmore’s returning player rights from Stockton to add him to their G League roster.
Instead, Austin swooped in and acquired those rights as part of the six-team transaction.
Importantly, owning Elmore’s returning rights does not guarantee that he will suit up for the Spurs’ affiliate next season. It does, however, give Austin control over his immediate future should he remain in the G League.
Elmore could bypass those rights entirely by pursuing an opportunity overseas. Alternatively, if the Lakers want to bring back their Summer League guard, they would now need to negotiate with Austin to acquire his rights.
His experience could certainly hold value for a young Lakers developmental roster.
Across 36 games with Stockton last season, Elmore averaged 13.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 40.3% from the field and 37.6% from beyond the arc.
Over 117 career G League appearances across affiliates of the Kings, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat, he has averaged 10.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.2 steals.
With young players such as Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero potentially spending time at the G League level alongside developmental pieces including Chris Manon and Arthur Kaluma, an experienced guard like Elmore could provide valuable stability.
For now, however, the Spurs control that possibility after quietly securing his rights in one of the G League offseason’s more complicated transactions.
The G League Trade in Full:
Greensboro Swarm receive: Kyle Mangas returning rights (via Austin), Trey Townsend returning rights (via Salt Lake City), Dereon Seabron returning rights (via Salt Lake City), 2027 second-round pick (via Stockton).
Stockton Kings receive: 2027 second-round pick (via Austin), Sean East II returning rights (via Salt Lake City), Mo Bamba returning rights (via Salt Lake City), Viktor Lakhin returning rights (via Oklahoma City), 2026 second-round pick (via Oklahoma City).
Austin Spurs receive: Terry Taylor returning rights (via Iowa), Jon Elmore returning rights (via Stockton).
Iowa Wolves receive: Jaylen Sims returning rights (via Greensboro), 2027 first-round pick (via Austin).
Oklahoma City Blue receive: Seth Maxwell returning rights (via Stockton), 2027 first-round pick (via Stockton).
Salt Lake City Stars receive: Jonas Aidoo returning rights (via Greensboro), Terrell Brown Jr. returning rights (via Greensboro).
Spurs Quietly Undercut Lakers for Veteran Guard in Surprise Move